Cybersleuthing by the Calgary police online stolen property team was behind the bust that saw stolen property valued at more than $30,000 returned to the Camera Store last year.

It was just before 6 a.m. on Dec. 16, 2017, when an employee at the downtown shop found their store had been broken into. The store’s rolling metal shutters were pried open and thieves had certain targets in mind.

A total of $30,000 of gear — including a rare, $13,000 Leica M-P Safari — were taken in the heist.

The day after the store was broken into, police received a tip from the public, leading Const. Paul Teworte and his team to set up a buy.

“That case resulted in us identifying offenders who were committing multiple break and enters, car prowlings and thefts within Calgary who arrived from outside the city,” said Teworte.

Camera Store co-owner Julian Ferreira said he was blown away with how quickly the unit worked.

“We’ve had lots of stuff lifted, people grabbing things and running … and honestly, not knocking the CPS because they do an amazing job, but you know you are going to get lost in the shuffle,” he said.

“In this case, having two officers (with the stolen property team) completely on the ball … actively hunting these guys down was quite remarkable. It was an interesting experience and it made you feel like you were special.”

Const. Tony Hogendorp, a member of the Calgary Police Online Stolen Property Team prepares a vest before joining the team to execute a search warrant on Thursday, June 14, 2018. The specialized unit is the only team in Canada dedicated to researching and recovering many different types of property bought and sold online and they work closely with the Break and Enter Team. Jim Wells/PostmediaJim Wells/Postmedia

Const. Tony Hogendorp with the stolen property team said he recently ran into one of the suspects months after the bust at their station.

“He was released from the Calgary Remand Centre … and he comes up and he says, ‘Tony! I have to thank you — that arrest was the best thing that happened to me, I’ve been six months clean,’ ” said Hogendorp, who admitted he was surprised to hear that.

For the man, it was the first time in six years he had been clean.

“He told me he had a chance to reflect on his life,” said Hogendorp.

“When we arrested him for the Camera Store (break-in) … he lived a life where he was worried about being rolled just as much as he’s trying to sell stolen stuff. Now he’s focused to get out of the drug lifestyle.”

Tan Xuan Hung (Kenny) Bui, 60, and 35-year-old Justin Edward Ross, were charged in connection with the heist and remain before the courts.

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